100 days out: What we know about Rio Olympics – USA TODAY
USA TODAY Sports’ Rachel Axon breaks down what to expect at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio.
USA TODAY Sports
With 100 days to go until the opening ceremony of the Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, here are some key storylines:
President under pressure: Impeachment proceedings against Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff are now headed to the senate, which is expected to decide in mid-May whether she will go on trial. A majority in the senate is needed to go to trial, and Rousseff would be suspended 180 days. If the senate moves ahead with a trial, Rousseff won’t be around to welcome dignitaries to the opening ceremony on Aug. 5.
Zika virus: Olympic officials say they’re confident in their preparations to protect visitors this summer from contracting the Zika virus. On the ground, workers are monitoring areas near venues to drain stagnant water where mosquitoes that spread the virus can breed. Officials also say that timing of the Games, to be held in Brazil’s winter, means the mosquitoes will be less of an issue. The U.S. Olympic Committee has hired infectious disease specialists to consult with athletes and members of the U.S. delegation traveling to Rio. Scientists continue to study the virus, which the CDC concluded causes microcephaly and birth defects in babies. Meanwhile, several U.S. athletes say they’re not overly concerned about Zika. “There are always things beyond your control at the Olympic Games,” said swimmer Natalie Coughlin, seeking to make her fourth Olympic team. “And this is just one of them.”
Venues nearly ready: Olympic organizers say venues hosting all sports during the Rio Games are 95% complete. The velodrome, where track cycling will be held, has been notably behind, but UCI president Brian Cookson told the Guardian he’s been assured it will be ready, although a test event to be held there in late April has been postponed. Separately, a Brazilian newspaper, O Globo, reported that 11 workers have been killed while working on Olympic infrastructure projects.
Water pollution: Water testing by the Associated Press found alarmingly high levels of viruses and bacteria in water where sports such as sailing, rowing, canoeing and open water swimming will be held. The virus levels were high in waters tested along the shoreline and far out in the water — a kilometer from the shore of Guanabara Bay, where sailing will be held. IOC president Thomas Bach told USA TODAY Sports that he’s confident “there will be a safe environment for the athletes, guaranteeing a fair competition.”
Ticket sales: About half of the 7.5 million tickets for the Rio Olympics have sold. Brazil is in a recession, and a national corruption scandal has ensnared dozens of top political and business leaders. Bach says he’s not concerned about the lackluster ticket sales. “Brazilians, they do not buy tickets at such an early stage, as the British or the Germans,” he told reporters at a news conference in March.
Who’s competing: U.S. Olympic trials for track and field, swimming and gymnastics will be held later this summer. It’s virtually guaranteed that Michael Phelps will break more records as he adds to his tally of 22 Olympic medals. Three-time defending world champion Simone Biles will be a gold medal favorite in women’s gymnastics. In track and field, Olympic gold medalist Allyson Felix will chase the 200-400 double if she makes the U.S. team in both events.
Who’s not competing: Golf returns to the Olympics for the first time since 1904. Australian Adam Scott, ranked No. 7 in the world, has said he won’t play in the Olympics, along with South Africa’s Louis Oosthuizen and Charl Schwartzel and Fiji’s Vijay Singh. There may be more international players to follow considering the tough travel schedule in a year when the Ryder Cup is being in held in the U.S.
Refugee athletes: For the first time a team of Refugee Olympic Athletes will compete in the Games. The IOC expects the team will have five to 10 athletes competing under the Olympic flag in Rio.
Members of the United States Olympic team can not wait for the Rio games to start.
USA TODAY Sports
PHOTOS: U.S. ATHLETES WHO HAVE QUALIFIED FOR RIO
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